The eighth edition of the popular Wine Tourism Handbook is now available for sale both in bookshops and online.

This image-rich, full-colour, comprehensive guide to the farms, restaurants, accommodation venues and activities found in South Africa’s Winelands is one of Wine Tourism South Africa’s (WTSA) most prestigious products. It works in tandem with WTSA’s other exciting social media and online platforms and campaigns to drive interest in the varied wine tourism offerings of the country.

The 2013 edition boasts several key refinements to previous editions but retains its unique core by offering a comprehensive list of farms, complete with opening hours, contact details and easy-to-read maps as well as a number of carefully selected="true"="true" destinations for dining, staying and playing!

This year, the Gourmand Award-winning publication offers independent reviews of Winelands restaurants ranging from delis to five-star establishments as well as route-by-route reviews of boutique wineries (those that make less than 5 000 cases of wine a year) and it showcases the winners of the popular Klink Awards – launched by Wine Tourism South Africa in 2012. More information can be found on the Klink Awards – the first consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism competition in the country – on www.winetourismsouthafrica.co.za. In addition, wine route information has been updated with editorial reflecting the inherent character of each route and photographs capturing the scenic beauty of each region.

As wine tourism is about the entire experience – wine, food, people, activity and place – detailed listings are offered for the best places to eat, stay and play – whether that is casual cafés or fine dining, rustic cottages or five star hotels, a wine picnic on the river or helicopter flip over the vineyards. The Handbook is an indispensible companion to anyone looking to have a fun, meaningful and in-depth experience when visiting the country’s wine regions.

The publisher, Monika Elias, notes, “Wine tourism is a global phenomenon and it is a growing market, but we are fast getting the impression that here in South Africa, we do it rather well, perhaps better than most. Our handbook is a reflection of this burgeoning market”.

The Wine Tourism Handbook is #notjustwine, it is the complete Winelands experience in one colourful and beautifully-produced guide and at just R99.00 it offers tremendous value for money! The 288-page 2013 Wine Tourism Handbook can be ordered online or downloaded from www.winetourismsouthafrica.co.za and is available in all good bookstores.